Arriving at the gym, Ippo notices an energetic Kimura training with enthusiasm. Kimura explains that Reiko told him that she was going to cheer for him in his next match. Kimura then asks Ippo how it went with Kumi, and Ippo tells him that they were interrupted by Mashiba's arrival. When Takamura arrives, the duo is surprised to hear he went home early. Takamura explains that as the champion, he will son fight the winner of the Class A Tournament. Their coach arrives and lets them know the dates for their title bouts. After hearing an inspirational speech from Takamura, Kamogawa handles them a magazine where they can see the former forcing himself upon Megumi, proving that him going home early was not due to training, but rejection. In order to make fun of Aoki, they call him assuming he is depressed about being rejected as well. To their surprise, it is Tomiko who picks up the phone, leaving the trio at the gym in shock.